ACLU Succeeding in Having Searches Banned at NFL Stadiums

It's a good thing that the Department of Homeland Security is skeptical about the threat to set off radiological "dirty bombs" in seven National Football League stadiums, because the American Civil Liberties Union is doing all it can to prevent anyone being searched at NFL stadiums anyway.

TAMPA, FL -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today announced that a federal judge has blocked mass pat-down searches at Buccaneer games, stating that the public “has a compelling interest in preserving the constitutional right to be free from unreasonable governmental intrusion.”

The court order follows a similar injunction issued by a state court judge in October of last year and prohibits mass random searches of Tampa Buccaneers patrons without individualized suspicion. In both rulings, the courts held that the Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches such as those being conducted at Raymond James Stadium, which is owned and operated by the Tampa Sports Authority.

“This case is important because it involves being forced to give up a very real liberty in the name of generalized fear,” said Rebecca Harrison Steele, Director of the ACLU of Florida’s West Central office. “The government does not have a blank check to suspend the constitutional rights of Americans. Across-the-board pat-downs are a violation of each and every person's rights, and we are happy that has been upheld by the court."

3
So basically you can't search based on a profile (because that would be raaaaacist), nor can you do random searches either because that deprives people of their precious fweeedoms. In other words stay home of you want to be safe. And that doesn't deny me my freedom?

Posted by: Jesusland Carlos at October 18, 2006 11:57 PM

4
Whew! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to smuggle in my bottle of Jack Daniels!

Posted by: Last gasp Larry at October 19, 2006 01:42 AM

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Yea right. And attempt to protect me and mine is labeled by some liberal asshole as unreasonable government intrusion. Who is this judge? Anyone know.

I'm not surprised that a Tampa judge would see his way to agreeing with
the ACLU; being that the Tampa/St. Pete area is the liberal mecca of
Florida. Orlando runs a close second. Let the ACLU try that
crap here in Jacksonville and go up against some conservative judges.